Cable and Satellite

Doctor Who has aired on a number of cable and satellite stations over the years, and this was the only method by which some countries - particularly those in Europe during the 1980s and 1990s - could view the series on a regular basis.

The BBC itself was available in parts of western Europe (such as in Spain) from the late 1980s, while the broadcaster also provided programming on other platforms and channels to reach a far wider audience throughout the continent.

The serials were broadcast in English but with Spanish subtitles, the first time this method was adopted; previously, broadcasts in Spanish-language countries were dubbed. It would seem that by 2001, the original dubbed tapes that
were used from the late 1970s (and owned by Time Life / Lionheart) were no longer available.

UK / EUROPE

Launched in 1987, this station (previously called BBC TV Europe and then BBC World Service Television) was the BBC's first entertainment channel available via satellite and cable across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, broadcasting 24 hours a day.

BBC Prime aired a selection of BBC as well as ITV programming, including Doctor Who.

TV4 SF screened all the available serials from the first seven Doctors. Episodes screened three times daily, usually early evening, just after midnight, then around 3.00am the following morning. It would appear that Doctor Who was part of the regular schedules since launch date in February 2008.